Chapter 7: Abbasid Decline and the Spread of Islamic Civilization to South and Southeast Asia Thesis: Receptiveness to islamic conversion, expansion, and syncretism bridged together the two regions.

--Political divisions re: succession started early --After al-Rashid’s death, civil wars broke out--Caliphs tried to move the capital from Baghdad High taxes, pillaging, and claimed it was Supporting the Shi’as =led to peasant revolt--As the empire declined Buyid nomads captureD Baghdad and the Caliphs lost power --Christians briefly captured and built connections between Europe and the East. --LearninG/arts flourished, Islam expanded Persian language overtook Arabic esp. in high culture --Religion became more important at the end of the Abbasid rule --Mongols invaded, Baghdad declined --Traders and migrants brought Islam to SE Asia --Muslims reach India under Umayyad in 711--Hindus and Buddhists were treated as people of Book --The 2nd wave of invasion gained territory in the Indus valley --Wanted people to convert willingly--Many who converted were Buddhists or in the low castes--Hindus of the higher class looked down on Muslims --India was resistant to Islam S Asian islands were the major points of expansion --The Sufis spread syncretic Islam through SE Asia --Established Schools and mosques Islam spreads to S/SE Asia